Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Journalists and Newspapers: The Observer

Description: Abstract: The first edition of The Observer was published on 4th December 1791. Three years later the newspaper was £1,600 in debt. Although unwilling to buy The Observer, the government agreed to help subsidise the newspaper in return for influencing its content through editorials praising government's policy. It also guaranteed that the Observer would not give its support to other writers advocating parliamentary reform.